Connector having wireless control capabilities

ABSTRACT

A connector for connecting a source of low-voltage DC power to a low-voltage DC powered device includes a line-side interface arranged for releasably and electrically coupling the connector to the source of low-voltage DC power, a line-side interface arranged for electrically coupling the connector to the low-voltage DC powered device, a power controller electrically coupled to the line-side interface and the load-side interface and operarable to control a bringing of power to the load-side interface from the line-side interface, and an RF receiver electrically coupled to the power controller for receiving a first signal from a device external to the connector and for generating, in response thereto, a second signal for controlling operations of the power controller.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/606,129, filed on Mar. 2, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The subject disclosure is generally related to electrical connectors and, more particularly, to an electrical connector having wireless control capabilities for use in connection with a low-voltage DC power system.

Systems for bringing low-voltage DC power to low-voltage DC powered devices, such as light fixtures, sensors, or the like, are known in the art. By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,997,901, U.S. Pat. No. 8,062,042, U.S. Pat. No. 7,679,222, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,762,821 (which patents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety) disclose various grid systems that support conductive materials that are electrically coupled to a low-voltage DC power source and which provide contact surfaces that are connectable to low-voltage DC powered devices. These patents also describe various types of connectors that provide a means for coupling a low-voltage DC powered device to the contact surfaces of the grid system. While the described connectors will work for their intended purpose, the following describes an improvement to such connectors.

SUMMARY

Described hereinafter is an improved connector which, among other advantages, has the advantage of allowing for wireless control of the bringing of power to a low-voltage DC powered device that is coupled via use of the connector to a low-voltage DC power source. While not intended to be limiting, the subject connectors may be used to couple a low-voltage DC powered device to any one of the aforementioned, low-voltage DC power grid systems, to low-voltage DC power cables, and/or to other disconnection/connection points in a DC power system. When utilized in connection with a low-voltage DC power system, the subject connectors may be provided with one or more mechanical structures, such as those described in the above-noted patents, to thereby allow the subject connectors to be releasably attached thereto.

While the foregoing provides a general description of the subject connector, a better understanding of the objects, advantages, features, properties, and relationships of the subject connector will be obtained from the following detailed description and accompanying drawing which set forth an illustrative embodiment and which is indicative of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the subject invention, reference may be had to the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of exemplary components of a connector having wireless communication capabilities.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to the FIG. 1, a schematic diagram of an exemplary connector 10 for use in bringing power from a low-voltage DC power source 12 to a low-voltage DC powered device 13, such as a light fixture, sensor, or the like, is illustrated.

For allowing the connector 10 to be coupled to the low-voltage DC power source 12, the connector 10 includes a line-side interface 14 comprised of one or more electrical contacts arranged to allow engagement with corresponding electrical conductors or surfaces associated with the low-voltage DC power source 12. The electrical contacts of the line-side interface 14 may be incorporated into a housing having mechanical structures as needed to allow the connector 10 to be releasably attached to a low-voltage DC grid system, low-voltage DC power cables, and/or to other disconnection/connection points in a low-voltage DC power system. While not limiting, the wireless connector 10 may also be attached to wires associated with the source of low-voltage DC power through use of insulation piercing type contacts (IPC type contacts), insulation displacing type contacts (IDC type contacts), push-in type contacts, crimp type contacts, weld type contacts, etc.

For allowing the connector 10 to be coupled to the low-voltage DC powered device 13, the connector includes a load-side interface 15 comprises of one or more electrical contacts (which one or more electrical contacts may be incorporated into the same or a further housing having mechanical structures as needed) adapted to be engaged with wires 16, plugs, or the like, that are associated with the low-voltage DC powered device 13. Thus, without limitation, the electrical contacts of the load-side interface 15 may also be push-in type contacts, IDC type contacts, IPC type contacts, crimp type contacts, weld type contacts, etc.

To control the bringing of power from the line-side interface 14 to the load-side interface 15, and accordingly to the device 13 coupled to the load-side interface 15, the connector 10 further includes a power controller 17. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the power controller 17 is electrically coupled to the line-side interface 14 via an electrical connection 18 and is electrically coupled to the load-side interface 15 via an electrical connection 19. By way of example only, the power controller 17 may comprise a semiconductor based electronic device such as an Opto-isolator, FET, transistor or the like. The power controller 17 is further coupled to a wireless receiver or transceiver 20 which, as described hereinafter, functions to provide a control signal to the power controller 17 via an electrical connection 22. Power is provided to the wireless receiver or transceiver 20 by means of an optional DC-DC converter 24 which is electrically coupled to the wireless receiver or transceiver 20 via an electrical connection 26 and to the line-side interface 14 via an electrical connection 28. The wireless receiver or transceiver 20 may also be directly coupled to the line-side interface 14. It will be understood that other means for providing power to the wireless receiver or transceiver 20 could also be employed, such as by providing power through use of a battery, through use of ambient RF power harvesting, or the like. It will also be understood that the electrical connections between the various components illustrated in FIG. 1 may be traces formed on a PCB, wires, or the like without limitation.

More particularly, for controlling the bringing of power to the load-side interface 15, the wireless receiver or transceiver 20 is adapted to transmit a control signal to the power controller 17 via the electrical connection 22 in response to the wireless receiver or transceiver 20 receiving a control signal from a remotely located device, e.g., a switch, control center, or the like. Preferably, the remotely located device and the wireless receiver or transceiver 20 are adapted to communicate via use of wireless RF transmissions. The power controller 17 is, in turn, adapted to respond to the control signal transmitted thereto via the electrical connection 22 to control the bringing of power to the load-side interface 15 from the line-side interface 14 via the electrical connections 18 and 19. In this regard, the control signal provided to the power controller 17 by the wireless receiver or transceiver 20 may be used to simply turn on or turn off the power connection between the load-side interface 15 and the line-side interface 14. It is contemplated that the control signal provided to the power controller 17 by the wireless receiver or transceiver 20 may also be used to limit the amount of power that is provided to the load-side interface 15 from the line-side interface 14, e.g., to provide for a dimming effect. It will also be appreciated that, in the case when a transceiver 20 is utilized, the connector 10 may allow for state data associated with the power controller 17, and according the device 13, and/or other data to be communicated to other remotely located devices as needed. While not illustrated, the connector 10 may additionally include a mechanism or other means for allow a user to set (or for pre-setting at a time of manufacture) an address to thereby allow communications to the connector 10, via the receiver or transceiver 20, to be specifically targeted thereto—which would be particularly useful in an instance where multiple connectors are intended to be used in a confined area.

While specific embodiments of the subject invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of this disclosure. It will therefore be appreciated that features described are not to be limited to any particular embodiment but may be freely used across embodiments where applicable. Additionally, it will be appreciate that the size, shape, arrangement, and/or number of components illustrated and described can be changed as necessary to meet a given need. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A connector for connecting a source of low-voltage DC power to a low-voltage DC powered device, comprising: a line-side interface arranged for electrically coupling the connector to the source of low-voltage DC power; a line-side interface arranged for electrically coupling the connector to the low-voltage DC powered device; a power controller electrically coupled to the line-side interface and the load-side interface and operarable to control a bringing of power to the load-side interface from the line-side interface; and an RF receiver electrically coupled to the power controller for receiving a first signal from a device external to the connector and for generating, in response thereto, a second signal for controlling operations of the power controller.
 2. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the line-side interface is arranged for releasably and electrically coupling the connector to a low-voltage DC power grid system.
 3. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the load-side interface comprises at least one of a push-in type contact, an IDC type contact, an IPC type contact, a crimp type contact, and a weld type contact for engaging a corresponding one or more wires associated with the low-voltage DC powered device.
 4. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the power controller functions as an on/off power controller.
 5. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the power controller functions as a dimming power controller.
 6. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the power controller comprises an Opto-isolator.
 7. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the power controller comprises an SCR.
 8. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the power controller comprises a FET, transistor.
 9. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the power controller comprises a MEMS switch.
 10. The connector as recited in claim 1, comprising a DC-DC converter electrically coupled to the line-side interface and the RF receiver for providing power to the RF receiver.
 11. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the RF receiver is directly, electrically coupled to the line-side interface which provides power to the RF receiver.
 12. The connector as recited in claim 1, comprising a battery for providing power to the RF receiver
 20. 13. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the RF receiver comprises a RF transceiver.
 14. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the RF receiver is provided with an address.
 15. The connector as recited in claim 14, comprising an address setting device associated with the RF receiver.
 16. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the line-side interface comprises at least one of a push-in type contact, an IDC type contact, an IPC type contact, a crimp type contact, and a weld type contact for engaging a corresponding one or more wires associated with the source of low-voltage DC power. 